A celebrated gem cutter, Tuzlukov has continually redefined the art of faceting with his extraordinary skill and innovative designs. His journey began in 1998, and since then, he has emerged as a luminary in the world of colored gemstones. With a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Moscow branch of GIA, Tuzlukov’s expertise has earned him a distinguished place in the global lapidary community.
In 2010, Tuzlukov founded the Russian Faceters Guild and the international faceting competition, ‘The Russian Open,’ fostering a new era of excellence in gemstone faceting. His accomplishments include winning the US faceting competition in the Grand Master division in 2008 with a perfect score, and setting a new world record in the International Individual Faceting Championship in Australia in 2010. His innovative “Philosophical Stone” collection, displayed in our gallery in 2017, introduced a groundbreaking approach to gemstone cutting, incorporating symbolic patterns in his facet designs.
Tuzlukov’s works have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions across the United States, France, and Russia, reflecting his global impact. His mastery is further evidenced by his creation of the 3,051-carat Fragility of the Eternal kunzite, a Guinness World Record holder for the largest faceted spodumene. This masterpiece features 928 facets and stands as a testament to his unparalleled skill.
Another highlight of his illustrious career is the 116-carat Lion of Merelani tsavorite, now housed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, celebrated as one of the most significant gems ever mined. Tuzlukov’s World Heritage Collection, consisting of 12 gemstones, captures the essence of various cultures, with Fragility of the Eternalbeing the fifth in this series. His work also includes the Eucharist amethyst with 705 facets, presented to Pope Francis and now part of the Vatican Museum’s collection.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Tuzlukov continuously sets higher challenges for himself. His mantra, “The next stone should be more challenging than the previous one,” embodies his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the art of gemstone faceting.
